AP GOV CH.1 – Flashcards
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What is one example of the successful functioning of the political system
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the peaceful transfer of power
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who has the oldest constitutional democracy in the world? (survived more than 2 centuries)
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The US
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The u.s. constitution and bill of rights survive still today because of what?
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because each generation has respected, renewed, and worked to understand the principles and values in the documents
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The United States has succeeded largely in the peaceful transfer of power largely because?
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citizens love their country, revere the constitution, and respect the free enterprise system
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few restrictions are placed on business activities and ownership. In this system, governments generally have minimal ownership of enterprises in the market place. This system aims for limited restrictions on trade and minimal government intervention
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free enterprise system
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What are the best ways to reconcile our differences?
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debate, compromise, and free elections
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Who said that people themselves are the only safe repositories of government? (but the power of the people must be retained from time to time)
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Thomas Jefferson
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What does Democracy require us to do?
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question our leaders and never entrust a group or institution with too much power
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Constitutional democracy requires what?
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constant attention to protecting rights and opinions of others, ensure the democratic process serves the principles of liberty, equality, and justice
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Constitutional Democracy means government by who?
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representative politicians
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A central feature of Democracy is that those who hold power got it by __________
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winning a fair and free election
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We want politicians to be what?
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perfect and have the "correct" values
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Democracy is ____________
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"government by the people"
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Direct Democracy
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citizens assembled to discuss and pass laws and select their officials ( seen in ancient Athens)
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Who believed that empowering citizens to decide policy directly would be dangerous for freedom, minorities, and property and would result in violence by one group against the other
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James Madison
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our Democracy has combined which two other types of democracy?
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representative and direct
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Direct primary
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voters, rather than party leaders or elected officials, select who may run for office
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what is the definition for initiative and referendum
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they allow citizens to vote on state laws or constitutional amendments
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recall
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voters remove state and local elected officials from office between elections
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What state is big on referendum and initiatives?
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California
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Democracy today means what
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representative democracy
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Representative democracy
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or republic, those who have governmental power get and retain that power directly or indirectly by winning free elections in which all adult citizens are allowed to participate
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Representatives in a representative democracy determine what?
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budgets, pass laws, and are responsible for the performance of government
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The framers used the term ______ to avoid confusion between direct democracy which they disliked
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republic
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The framers were influenced by
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Aristotle, Hobbes, Locke, and Montesque
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Constitutional Democracy
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government that enforces recognizes limits on those who govern and allows the voice of the people to be heard through free and relatively frequent elections
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Constitutionalism
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the set of arrangements, including checks and balances, federalism, separation of powers, rule of law, due process, and a bill of rights, that requires our leaders to listen, think, bargain, and explain before they act or make laws. We then hold them politically and legally accountable for how they exercise their power
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personal liberty
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the essence of liberty is self-determination, meaning all individuals must have the opportunity to realize their own goals, be able to reach their goals *it is the key to social progress*
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Individualism
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Everyone has the potential for common sense, rationality, and fairness *these rights are the source of all legitimate governmental authority and power*
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Statism
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a form of government based on centralized authority and control, especially over the economy
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who takes the statism approach?
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China, Vietnam, and Cuba
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Equality of opportunity
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value of equality enhances the importance of the individual, equal chances
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popular sovereignty
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the idea that ultimate political authority rests with the people
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popular consent
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government derives its power from the consent of the people
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Democratic Values in Conflict
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Much political debate revolves around how to strike a balance among democratic values such as individualism and me vs. them
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In addition to having a consensus of core democratic values, a successful democratic government requires a ______
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well-defined political process as well as a stable governmental structure
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Elections are one of the most important ______ for keeping officials and representatives accountable to the voters
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devices
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Modern-day definition of democracy is that
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opposition political parties can exist, run candidates in elections, and have a replace those who currently hold public office
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Does everyone have equal political representation
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no
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political competition and choice are crucial to the existence of _____
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democracy
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Majority rule
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Governance according to the expressed preferences of the majority
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Majority
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The candidate or party that wins more than half the votes cast in an election
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plurality
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The candidate or party with the most votes cast in an election, not necessarily more than half
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Freedom of Expression
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free and fair elections depend on voters having access to facts, competing ideas, and the view of candidates
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The right to assemble and protest
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The right to oppose the government, form opposition parties, and have a chance to defeat incumbents is a defining characteristic of Democracy
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Federalism
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the division of powers between the national and state governments
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separations of powers
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separation of powers among the Executive, legislative, and judicial branches
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bicameralism
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division of the legislative between the HOR and the Senate
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checks and balances
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check powers of other branches
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bill of rights
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provides a guarantee of individual liberties and due process
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Educational conditions
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The exercise of voting requires an educated citizen to make educated decisions
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Economic Conditions
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If your economic conditions are poor then the people are more interested in getting food than voting *Weimar Republic in Germany*
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Best Economic conditions are when what?
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equitable distribution of wealth
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Social conditions
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if society is fragmented into warring faction democracy can be difficult *Afghanistan and Iraq*
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basic beliefs about power, government, and political practices arise from
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educational, economic, and social conditions of individual experiences
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Democratic Consensus
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general acceptance of ideals of democracy and a willingness of a substantial number of people to agree to proceed dramatically
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Some widely accepted ideals are:
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one vote, majority rule, freedom of speech,ect.
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Political scientists
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study how government works and why people react to it a certain way
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Massachusetts established a _________ which is a system of government in which religious leaders claimed divine guidance in which other sects were denied religious liberty
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theocracy
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Articles of Confederation
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First government document of the confederate states, lasted 10 years
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Annapolis Convention
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consider problems of trade and navigation, attended by 5 states, important because it issued the call to amend the Articles of Confederation
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Constitutional Convention
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Debated and agreed on the constitution of the US
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Shay's Rebellion
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Rebellion led by Daniel Shay protesting mortgage foreclosures *highlighted the need for a strong central government and need for a constitutional convention*
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Balanced government
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most delegates were in favor of this which no single interest would dominate and in which the national government would be strong enough to protect property and business
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Who favored extending the right to vote to all white males not only land owning ones?
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Benjamin Franklin
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How long was it for each state to determine its own qualifications for electing members of the house of Reps
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5 days
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what was the branch of government that was the only branch of the national government that was to be elected directly by the voters
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House of Representatives
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what was the major conflict over
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it was over land
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What is bicameralism
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the principle of the two-house legislature
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Virginia plan
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The initial proposal at the constitutional convention made by the Virginia delegation for a strong central government with a bicameral legislature dominate d by the big states
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New Jersey plan
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Made by William Scott Paterson for a central government with a single-house legislature in which each state would have equal representation
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Connecticut compromise
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Compromise for a bicameral legislature with a lower house in which representation would be based upon population and upper house in which each state would have two senators
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three-fifths compromise
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Compromise between northern and southern states that the slave population would be counted for determining direct taxation and representation in the HOR
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electoral college
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System used in electing the president and Vp
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Why did the articles of Confederation not work?
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it sucked! didn't unify the nation but kept it individual states which created a problem. Biggest problem was that no tax could be collected it was voluntary
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Federalists
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supporters of ratification of the Constitution and of a strong central government
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Antifederalists
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opponents of the ratification of the constitution and strong central government generally
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The Federalist
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Essays promoting the ratification of the constitution
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Who was the first state to ratify the Constitution
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Delaware
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Who was the last state to ratify the constitution
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Rhode Island
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Who were some federalist writers
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John Jay, James Madison, and Hamilton
